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Moody Monster
NIKON D5300
Aperture f/8 ISO 160 Shutter 1/1000 Focal Length 550/10 
Newport Beach, California, US
Aug, 2020Views
667
Likes
Awards
Top Shot Award 21
Spring 21 Award
People's Choice in Shades Of Gray Photo Challenge
People's Choice in Shades Of Gray Photo Challenge
Peer Award
Top Choice
Superb Composition
Absolute Masterpiece
Magnificent Capture
Superior Skill
All Star
Virtuoso
Outstanding Creativity
Emotions
Impressed
Happy
Top Ranks
Top 20 rankTop 10 rank week 1
Top 10 rank
Top 10 rankTop 10 rank week 1
Categories
Same photographer See allBehind The Lens
Discover more photos See all
Behind The Lens
Location
This photo was taken during the summer of 2020 at Newport Beaches famous Wedge, an iconic surf spot in Orange County California known for its massive waves and shore break, this was at the start of the big wave season in Southern California.Time
This shot was towards the end of my day at the beach, during the Covid Pandemic, I would show up at the beach around 6am to catch the boarders and surfers before black ball, this ended up being my favorite shot of that day and it was a little after noon, it was a hot and bright day with light clouds in the distance over Santa Catalina Island.Lighting
As someone who is a graphic designer and product photographer by day, and someone who just has a passion for photography in general, I was just focused on what I was shooting that day, the art of the wave, and taking photos of something as chaotic as the sea and the beach. I wasn't really worried about the natural lighting at the Wedge, to catch the beauty of the wave and see how the light showed through that blue wave was magnificent, and then seeing how it was captured in black and white has opened up a whole new world for me to display my passion of photography.Equipment
That day, I used my Nikon D5300 with the Nikkor 55-300 DX lens.Inspiration
As someone who grew up playing soccer in lacrosse in San Diego, the beach was always where I would go to clear my mind and find my center, I have always been mesmerized and calmed when at and around the beach. I wanted to challenge myself with pushing my abilities to take photos of something that is never constant and you can never be prepared for what you will get day in and day out, you have to know how to adjust on the fly and be patient when you are taking photos of waves.Editing
I didn't do any post processing with this photo, so much of the world around us is photo-shopped that we lose sight of the natural beauty that surrounds us. I enjoy showing the hidden beauty that is right in front of us because so many people ignore it.In my camera bag
What I carry every day with me no matter what I plan on shooting, if its product photography to lacrosse games and the beach is the same, because something may happen that you weren't planning for a need a different piece of equipment. I always have my Nikon D5300 with extra batteries and SD cards, along with my Nikkor F3.5 - 5.6 18-140 mm lens, this is my main lens and works for most of what I find myself doing, I also carry my Nikkor F1.8 35mm, Nikkor F4.5 55-300mm and then I have my 8mm Bower fisheye for fun. I have a selection of IR filters that are always in my bag too and I bring them out when I want to look at the world a different way and show something specific too.Feedback
The best advice I can give you is what was passed on to me by two photographers who have been shooting wave photos at the Wedge for over 20 years each, be patient, respect other photographers, watch the waves, and just enjoy taking photos of some of the best surfers and boarders in Southern California. Don't take a photo for someone else, do it for yourself and if someone else likes it, that's great, but most importantly, do it for yourself and to express who you are in this world, let your photography speak for you.
